Online Dictionary

City (pop., 1991: 126,000) and capital of the autonomous region of Madeira, Portugal. Lying on the S coast of Madeira island in the N. Atlantic, it is the center of industry, commerce, and communications for Madeira. It was founded in 1421 by the Portuguese navigator Joã o Gonç alves Zarco and later came under Spanish (1580-1640) and British (1807-14) control. The city's scenery and mild year-round climate attract many tourists.